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MBRF and Philips Middle East announce winners of 'Research Innovation Programme'

  • United Arab Emirates: Sunday, August 23 - 2009 at 11:29
  • PRESS RELEASE

The Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation and Philips Middle East today announced the winners of the 'Philips Innovation Programme', the leading platform for encouraging innovation in the region.

The first to be selected since the launch of the competition, two teams of innovators comprising AbdelKareem Bedri and Mohamed Shagar (Sudan) in group 1 and Sharbel Maroun (Lebanon) representing group 2 were chosen by a panel of judges from Philips Middle East, the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation, and Berytech Technological Pole of Beirut in Lebanon.

The three entrepreneurs will be given an all expense paid six-month internship opportunity at the Philips' high-tech research and development campus in Germany to execute their business case from concept to development stage.

The winners will also be given access to venture capitalists with a view to creating viable businesses. One of the main conditions of the programme is that the concepts must be executed in the Arab world, thereby creating employment opportunities within the region.

Sultan Lootah, Vice-President, Entrepreneurship and Employment Sector, said:

"Developing entrepreneurship is extremely important to the Arab world. There is a large unexploited potential within the region's youth that we, as socially responsible organizations, should help foster. We believe the world needs leaders who create solutions to problems being faced by us, and entrepreneurship is one of the key areas of leadership and social transformation."


Louis Hakim, Vice President of Royal Philips Electronics and CEO of Philips Middle East, added, "We share a similar vision with the Foundation to assist young entrepreneurs become future business leaders in their communities. Our endeavour will eventually result in the creation of new employment opportunities and add value to the economic development of the region."

Launched in February 2009, the 'Philips Innovation Programme' aims to promote entrepreneurship in the Arab world and contribute to sustainable economic growth in the future through fostering the creation of new employment opportunities.

As part of the ongoing programme, Philips Middle East and the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation will jointly offer access to sophisticated technology facilities and cultivate innovative concepts from the Arab world while providing access to facilities and technical assistance of their local incubator partner, Berytech.
Sultan Lootah, Vice-President, Entrepreneurship and Employment Sector.
Sultan Lootah, Vice-President, Entrepreneurship and Employment Sector.
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Notes and Media Contacts »

About Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation:
The Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation was founded on the personal initiative of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, with an endowment worth $10bn. The Foundation was announced by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed at the World Economic Forum on the Middle East held at the Dead Sea, Jordan, in May 2007. Through three strategic sectors of Culture, Knowledge and Education, as well as Entrepreneurship and Employment, the Foundation seeks to develop knowledge and human capabilities in the Arab world.

The Foundation's three underlying principles are; Building the region's human capital with a pool of knowledgeable and talented individuals; Offering better opportunities for the region's younger generation to acquire knowledge and secure a better future; and Promoting leadership qualities among the younger generation to enhance their living standards.

About Royal Philips Electronics:
Royal Philips Electronics of the Netherlands is a diversified Health and Well-being company, focused on improving people's lives through timely innovations. As a world leader in healthcare, lifestyle and lighting, Philips integrates technologies and design into people-centric solutions, based on fundamental customer insights and the brand promise of "sense and simplicity". Headquartered in the Netherlands, Philips employs approximately 116,000 employees in more than 60 countries worldwide.

With sales of EUR26bn in 2008, the company is a market leader in cardiac care, acute care and home healthcare, energy efficient lighting solutions and new lighting applications, as well as lifestyle products for personal well-being and pleasure with strong leadership positions in flat TV, male shaving and grooming, portable entertainment and oral healthcare.

For further information, please contact:
Natali Fahmi
Corporate Communications
Philips Middle East and Africa
Tel: +9714 3095155

or

Sultan Al Jesmi
Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation
Tel: +9714 4233 472

or

Mathilda Saad
JiWin
Tel: +9714 361 3879

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